Prepare to experience Ian Fleming's James Bond novels as if reading them for the first time in the year of publication, as we embark on this 007 James Bond literary adventure together.

In this episode of the James Bond Book Club, the Spybrary hosts discuss Ian Fleming's final Bond novel, "The Man with the Golden Gun." They explore the book's themes, characters, and its place in the Bond series, reflecting on Fleming's legacy and the impact of his work on the spy fiction genre. The conversation touches on the novel's strengths and weaknesses, the portrayal of Bond and his adversaries, and the cultural significance of the Bond phenomenon.

The panellists also reflect on their journey reading the Ian Fleming James Bond novels and reveal their favourite 007 novels.

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What happens when a former diplomat turns spy-thriller author? In this episode, Sam Guthrie, ex-Australian trade envoy and senior government official, sits down with award-winning journalist Tim Shipman to discuss The Peak — a gripping, character-driven espionage novel set across Hong Kong, Beijing and Canberra.

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👉 The story begins with a shocking act inside Australia's Parliament House — and unravels a 30-year-old secret from the 1997 Hong Kong handover. A love triangle, a mysterious mixtape, betrayal, and a looming global crisis all collide in this explosive debut.

Sam shares behind-the-scenes insights from his time as Deputy Consul General in Hong Kong, reflects on the growing tensions between China, Australia and the West, and explains why fiction must confront the geopolitical risks of the 21st century.

📌 Topics include:

• The real risks of espionage in Asia-Pacific
• Why politicians and business leaders told Sam that this topic is 'too raw' for him to write about.
• Why Australia is caught between China and the US
• Why Sam Guthrie is determined to shift the focus of espionage fiction from Europe to Asia
• Writing flawed characters with emotional depth
• Using mixtapes and music in spy fiction
  (Check out Sam Guthrie's Spotify playlist featuring tracks mentioned in The Peak.)
• Why more thrillers should focus on China and Australia.
• Why Sam Guthrie loves Spybrary!
• And Much More!

Learn more about the John le Carré Tradecraft exhibition in Oxford revealing John le Carré's meticulous research, unseen manuscripts, and the personal life behind the spy fiction. In Spybrary Ep. 275, we speak with the curators about what they uncovered and what it tells us about the master of espionage fiction.

In this episode of Spybrary , Shane Whaley hosts a conversation into Tradecraft, the new exhibition at Oxford's Bodleian Library focusing on John le Carré (David Cornwell). His guests are Professor Federico Varese and Dr Jessica Douthwaite, who co‑curated the exhibition. They explore how the exhibit reveals le Carré's working methods, personal life, and research habits. From manuscript drafts and scribbles on hotel stationery to his mother's abandoned suitcase, the conversation explores how le Carré meticulously researched his books, how he conceives characters like George Smiley, and what the curators hope visitors take away.

They also discuss key artifact highlights, the challenge of selecting what to display from over 1,200 archive boxes, and deeper questions: why did he write in fiction rather than non‑fiction, and what question would the curators ask le Carré if they could meet him? Spybrary host Shane Whaley also asked the curators which John le Carré novels they recommend for those new to his work as well as how they selected the nine le Carré books on which the John le Carré exhibition is based.

• The intersection of fiction, fact and research in le Carré's method
• Le Carré's meticulous research process (notes, drafts, corrections)
• The role of Jane Cornwell (his wife) as collaborator and editor
• The curatorial challenge of selecting from the vast John le Carré archives
• Personal artifacts as gateways into the life behind the author
• How le Carré anticipated geopolitical trends (pharma, corruption, security)
• The emotional impact the Tradecraft exhibition had on the author's family.
• The question of why he chose fiction rather than non-fiction as his medium
• And why did he David Cornwell choose the pen name John le Carré.

Shane also thanked the curators for making the Tradecraft exhibition accessible to both le Carré scholars and to those who may never have read any John le Carré novels.

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